Comidas Gostosas! (More Recipes :))

For those looking for something a little different to cook/eat, here are a few more of our favorite recipes:

Pasteis, Risoles, and other snacks served at Lissie's birthday party

Pao de Queijo (Cheese Bread - one of our favorite snacks!  This recipe is from Tiago's grandmother, who makes my favorite cheesebread ever!)

2 cups Polvilho Azedo (which on Google Translator comes up as "Sour Powder"... other translations I found are  Mandioca Flour and Tapioca Starch, and supposedly you can find it in Asian grocery stores.)

2 eggs

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tsp salt 

4 tbsp grated cheese (usually parmesan)

1 cup milk

Grease muffin pans.  Preheat oven to 180 C (350 F).  Mix wet ingredients in a blender.  Add dry ingredients and blend again.  Pour mix into greased pan(s).   *Note:  After experimenting, this batter does NOT lend itself to rolling into balls.  My mistake before, sorry!  They should grow some while cooking and will be a light brown on top when ready.  Some people cook them less as they prefer the gooier middle.  And yes, they SHOULD be a little gooey in the middle, but crispy on the outside.

Cachorro Quente (Hot Dogs)

There are many variations on this recipe, but here is how we eat Brazilian hot dogs in our house. :)

1 package hot dogs, sliced into bite-sized pieces about 1/4-1/2 inch thick

Tomato Sauce (about 1 cup)

Corn, Peas - either canned or frozen work.

Water (about 1 cup)

Hot Dog buns

Parmesan Cheese

Boiled Eggs (about 1 per person), chopped

In a medium sauce pan, mix hot dog pieces, tomato sauce, water, peas, and corn.  You should have sort of a runny stew at first.  If too thick, add more water and/or sauce.  (I usually cook this by sight so not sure exact measurements.)  Bring to a boil, continue cooking at a lower temp until the hot dog pieces become plump.  Add salt, pepper and other seasonings of your choice.  

When ready to serve, put a large spoonful of hot dog mix on bun and top with eggs and parmesan cheese to your liking. 

Polenta (Corn Meal "Mush" - This is very common here, served at lunch and dinner time usually with various sauces and/or cheese.  People look at me funny here when I tell them I consider it a breakfast food. :))

2 cups finely ground Corn Meal

2 cups water at room temp

3 cups hot water

1 tbsp butter or margarine

2 cubes chicken flavored bouillon (optional)

'Dissolve' corn meal in room temp water.  In a sauce pan, mix hot water, margerine/butter, and chicken bouillon, and heat to boiling.  Slowly add corn meal mixture and once boiling, lower temp.   Simmer for about 45 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened and smooth (not grainy when tasted).  You can mix in other flavors or add sauces as you choose.  I have a few favorite ways to eat polenta: 1) with mozzarella or other white soft cheese melted on top.  2) with Aunt Vera's special "quail" sauce (which requires that she also prepare the quails for us, also yummy!)  3)  Pour the polenta into a rectangular pan and let it cool.  Then cut into smaller rectangles and deep fry.  (We haven't actually tried to make it this way on our own, as it is so readily available in most restaurants we like. :))

The ones that are both brown and white are "Casadinhos" (little marrieds).

Brigadeiros/Branquinhos  (sort of a bon-bon usually served at children's birthday parties)

1 can sweetened, condensed milk

1 tbsp butter

7 tbsp Nescau (the chocolate powder you mix with milk - Nestle maybe?) 

Chocolate Sprinkles

In a pan mix the first 3 ingredients together and cook at medium heat, stirring constantly.  Continue cooking until the mix becomes thicker and starts to pull away from the pan.  Allow to cool for about 5 minutes or until you are able to touch it without getting burnt. Also the mixture should be able to hold a shape without flattening out a lot.  With greased hands (margerine works) roll into small balls, about 1 inch diameter.  Roll each ball in chocolate sprinkles to coat afterwards.    

For Branquinhos, just leave out the chocolate powder and roll in coarsely ground sugar or coconut.  The name refers to them being white, but I'm sure if you rolled them in colorful sprinkles, that would also be tasty. :)

*Disclaimer:  Though I wish I could take credit, I did not actually prepare any of the food in the above pictures.  

PS - I am happy to take requests for future recipe posts.  Let me know if you have a different favorite Brazilian food that you would like a recipe for! :)